2016 Summer 2

I sat down the other day to start preparations for our new school year and took a moment to look back at everything we had done thus far this summer. I was in awe of the multitude of places we went to and experience the children had. And all it took, was a trip to see Andrew's and Saara' grandparents up north.

This is what we saw and took with us on our way there and on our way back.

Louisiana. Our first impromptu stop was in Monroe, LA. It was a blindingly bright Sunday. The store, of course was closed, but we took a few pictures by the iconic building. It has been a while since we last watched The Duck Dynasty, but we remember it being a hilarious show.

Entering Mississippi. The mighty river.

Taking another break from driving at Vicksburg, MS. Little did we know at this point that our whole vacation would be centered around the Civil War. In Vicksburg, we got just a small taste of it.

Tennessee. Another stop and another dose of the history of the Civil War at Chattanooga, TN.

We actually drove up the steep and winding road to the Lookout Mountain, but it being the 4th of July weekend the place was packed to the brim with tourists. We gave it a pass this time.

Virginia. The Shenandoah Valley where many a Civil War battles were fought. 

West Virginia. We have come to love the Appalachian mountains. 

At our friends' house, we were able to take a closer look at the solar panels. Andrew learned a lot about energy last year, and it was good for him to see up close some of the things he read about.

The humble milkweed.

Just at the crack of dawn, Saara went outside to feed the wild deer.

The yellow finch in the thistle.

More mountains.

For a portion of the way, we traveled on the famous Route 66.

Some of the way was breathtakingly beautiful.

At Williamsport, PA, we literally stumbled over the Little League headquarters. Of course, we had to make a stop here.

More God's beauty.

In New York, we started out wildlife adventures with a dead moth Andrew found at the grandparents porch. The moth was huge, though.

We captured a little history in downtown Dansville, NY.

Black raspberries are delicious. Saara was foraging for them in grandma's back yard almost daily.

Two animals we encountered most often in NY were the Canadian geese and gophers.

During our travels we passed by or through a number of big cities and state capitals. Here's Indianapolis, IN.

Illinois surprised us with endless fields of corn and soy beans. 

Entering Missouri. Crossing over the mighty Missouri River.

With Lewis and Clark in St. Louis.

The Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the US.

Andrew and Saara have seen and driven over the two longest rivers in the US - the Mississippi and the Missouri.

Oklahoma. The Ozark Mountains.

16 states in two and a half weeks.